VT Senate approves ban on anti-gay therapy, CO ban faces opposition

Vermont and Colorado consider conversion therapy bans. Currently California, Oregon, Illinois, New Jersey and D.C. ban such practices. File photo.

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Senate has voted overwhelmingly to advance a bill banning the use of what's called "conversion therapy," which is most often directed at young gay and lesbian people in a bid to make them heterosexual.

The bill makes it unprofessional conduct — subject to sanction by a state regulatory board — for a medical or mental health professional to use conversion therapy with someone younger than 18.

The measure got preliminary approval on Wednesday in an overwhelming voice vote. It's due up for a final vote on Thursday before going to the House.

Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell said he was surprised to learn Vermont had not banned conversion therapy already. He called the practice abhorrent.

This stands in contrast to reactions to a similar bill moving through the Colorado Democratic state House, which The Gayly reported last week is unlikely to make it to the governor's desk amid continued opposition in the GOP Senate.

That bill, approved 7-6 in a Democratic committee last week, awaits action by the full House.

Supporters say that because conversion therapy has been denounced by psychology's governing bodies, the state shouldn't license therapists who do it.

But Republican opponents have said the ban could limit speech rights. Some challenged psychologists who testified about conversion therapy by comparing being gay to being alcoholic.

 

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

The Gayly- 3/16/2016 @ 5:07 PM CST